Understanding the support lifecycle of your configuration management tools is critical for maintaining a stable IT infrastructure. This guide provides comprehensive information about CFEngine’s version support policy and EOS (End of Service)/EOL (End of Life) schedules for all versions.

1. What is CFEngine? – The Pioneer of Configuration Management

CFEngine, developed by Mark Burgess in 1993, is an open-source configuration management tool that enables Infrastructure as Code. With over 30 years of history, it’s one of the original automation solutions in the IT industry.

Key Features:

• Supports Unix/Linux systems and Windows
• Infrastructure as Code approach for configuration automation
• Distributed architecture for efficient large-scale operations
• Self-healing capabilities for system stability
• Proven in environments managing over 3.5 million servers

The Community edition is freely available, while the Enterprise edition can be used free for up to 25 hosts. The Enterprise version includes Mission Portal, a web-based management interface for visual infrastructure management.

2. Understanding CFEngine’s Release Policy – LTS vs. Non-LTS

CFEngine maintains two types of releases to balance stability with innovation.

LTS (Long Term Support) Versions

• Release Cycle: Every 18 months
• Support Duration: 3 years of support and maintenance
• Focus: Stability with proven, well-tested features
• Enterprise Support: Included in official support contracts
• Version Numbers: 3.7, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.18, 3.21, 3.24

Non-LTS Versions

• Release Cycle: Every 6 months
• Maintenance Period: 6 months after release
• Purpose: Testing new features and gathering feedback
• Support Limitation: Not included in Enterprise support contracts
• Role: Preparation for next LTS release

This dual-track approach ensures stability for production environments while enabling rapid innovation. LTS versions are strongly recommended for production use.

3. Complete LTS Version Support Schedule

CFEngine LTS Version Timeline

4. Complete Non-LTS Version List

CFEngine Non-LTS Version Reference

5. Currently Supported Versions – Detailed Information

3.24 LTS (Latest LTS) – Codename: Consistency

Key Features:

• Groups feature for infrastructure organization
• Group Data (CMDB): Assign variables and classes to groups
• Compliance Reports performance improved 5x (parallelization)
• Ubuntu 24 support (ARM64, x86-64)
• Security enhancements: LDAP, password, authentication improvements

Platform Changes:

• Added: Ubuntu 24.04
• Removed: Legacy OS versions no longer supported by vendors

Official Documentation: https://docs.cfengine.com/docs/3.24/

3.21 LTS – Codename: Unification

Key Features:

• CFEngine Build in Mission Portal
• Multiple Build Projects management
• Local Deploy functionality (no remote Git required)
• Module Input support
• Redesigned documentation site

Platform Additions:

• Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 11, RHEL 9
• ARM64 packages (Raspberry Pi support)

Official Documentation: https://docs.cfengine.com/docs/3.21/

3.26 (Latest Non-LTS) – Codename: Default Admin Elimination

New Features:

• Default admin account removal (security enhancement)
• 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) support
• Enhanced password policies
• Improved audit logging

Official Documentation: https://docs.cfengine.com/latest/

6. End-of-Life LTS Versions – Detailed Information

Recently EOL’d LTS Versions

3.18 LTS End-of-Life Timeline

⚠️ Important: Version 3.18.8 was the final release of the 3.18 series, with all support ending in August 2024.

7. CFEngine Evolution – Major Milestones

Development History

8. Version Upgrade Recommendations

Action Plan by Current Version

Version Selection for New Installations

9. Extended Support – Post-EOL Options

Extended Support Policy Details

For Extended Support: Contact CFEngine Support Team for separate contract arrangements

10. Version Check and Upgrade Checklist

Check Your Current Version

# Check version via command line
cf-agent --version

# Check hub version
cf-hub --version

# Detailed information
cf-promises --version

Pre-Upgrade Checklist

11. Major Version Upgrade Considerations

3.18 LTS → 3.21 LTS Upgrade

3.21 LTS → 3.24 LTS Upgrade

12. Platform Support Policy

OS Support Policy Principles

Latest LTS (3.24) Supported Platforms

Complete Platform List: Official Documentation

13. Official Resources

CFEngine Official Sites

Community and Support

Summary – Version Management Best Practices

Understanding and properly managing CFEngine’s version support policy is essential for maintaining a stable IT infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Currently Supported LTS: 3.21 LTS (EOL 2025), 3.24 LTS (EOL 2027)
❌ End-of-Life: All versions 3.18 LTS and earlier
⚠️ Action Required: Immediate upgrade needed if using 3.18 or earlier
🎯 Recommended: Use 3.24 LTS for production environments

Final Checklist:

• Is your current version supported? → Check with cf-agent --version
• Do you have an upgrade plan in place?
• Are you applying regular patch updates?
• Are you aware of the next LTS release timeline (expected 2025-2026)?